NASA and L3Harris Technologies have completed a successful hot-fire test of a newly produced RS-25 engine, a key component of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that will power the Artemis V mission.

The engine fired for 500 seconds at Stennis Space Center and reached 111% of its rated power level, marking the second flight-ready RS-25 built using modern manufacturing techniques.

L3Harris shared pictures of the engine on its Facebook page before the test.

The RS-25 has a long history within NASA’s human spaceflight program. Four engines power each SLS core stage, and while the first four Artemis missions use upgraded shuttle-era RS-25s, Artemis V will introduce newly manufactured engines that incorporate advanced materials and 3D-printed components.

The test ties directly into work underway at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, which manages the design, development, testing, and manufacturing of the SLS rocket.

Marshall also oversees production of major SLS components at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where structures for future Artemis missions are being assembled.

NASA notes that SLS is the agency’s only rocket capable of launching the Orion spacecraft, astronauts, and large cargo to the Moon in a single mission—making Marshall’s work an essential part of the Artemis architecture.

According to NASA, the Artemis program is designed to return astronauts to the Moon and establish the groundwork for future human missions to Mars.

Artemis V will continue building out the agency’s long-term presence in lunar orbit and on the surface, using the SLS rocket and the Orion spacecraft as its transportation backbone.

Marshall contributes to multiple elements of the broader Artemis campaign, including leadership of the Human Landing System program and engineering support for Gateway, the lunar-orbiting platform that will support future surface operations.

With the second newly produced RS-25 engine now tested, NASA moves another step closer to preparing the SLS hardware needed for Artemis V. Additional engine tests and core-stage manufacturing milestones are expected in the months ahead as work continues across NASA centers and industry partners.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].